This article is part of our Team Previews series.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
THE SKINNY
Under coach Mike Zimmer's leadership, the Vikings' rise culminated in an 11-5 record and NFC North title last season. After adding depth to the defense, making needed upgrades to the offensive line and bringing back almost every starter, a deep playoff run isn't out of the realm of possibility.
THREE KEY STORY LINES
UPGRADING THE OFFENSIVE LINE
The Vikings' weak link on offense last season was a leaky line that struggled in pass protection, though they were the sole team to trot out the same five in every game. The impetus may have been a unit that lost RT Phil Loadholt to a season-ending torn Achilles' tendon during the preseason and C John Sullivan to a back injury a few days before Week 1. The end result was a line that graded among the worst in keeping the quarterback upright – 31st in Pro Football Focus' Pass Blocking Efficiency – allowing Teddy Bridgewater to be sacked the sixth-most times in the league. Although Sullivan will return in 2016, the organization's foresight to reinforce the trenches with the signings of two-time Pro Bowl G Alex Boone and five-year starting T Andre Smith has offset the sudden retirement of Loadholt just before training camp commenced. The Vikings now boast an O-line room with eight players that have a complete season of starts on the resume, and while competition will ensue to determine the optimal quintet, the top group will likely read (from left to right) Matt Kalil, Boone, Sullivan, Brandon Fusco and Smith once Minnesota's opener rolls around.
WILL BRIDGEWATER AIR IT OUT?
Despite throwing just 14 TDs, averaging 7.2 yards per attempt and helming the NFL's 31st-ranked passing attack in 2015, Teddy Bridgewater guided the Vikings to the playoffs. He was hampered by O-line woes, as well as the presence of star RB Adrian Peterson, yet he still earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. That development, however, required numerous dropouts at his position. Minnesota's offensive centerpiece, Peterson, found less room to operate with Bridgewater in the shotgun, which is reflected in the back posting 4.7 yards per carry with his QB under center versus 1.7 YPC in the gun. Bridgewater has so far notched a 94.1 career passer rating in the shotgun (against 87.0 overall), so the pair will attempt to find comfort in that formation this season. The signal-caller also didn't mesh well with deep threat Mike Wallace, who tallied just 6.6 yards per target in his only year as a Viking. While Bridgewater doesn't have such a burner around this year, he'll be throwing to the likes of WRs Stefon Diggs and Laquon Treadwell, plus TE Kyle Rudolph, which should help the third-year pro maintain his efficiency.
AN EVEN MORE DOMINATING DEFENSE?
Making the leap from middling to staunch, the Vikings' defense improved in both points (11th to fifth) and yards (14th to 13th) allowed from 2014 to the most recent campaign. With plenty of carryover from last year's outfit, coach Mike Zimmer's posse is poised to join the ranks of the elite. The pass rush is led by DE Everson Griffen, who made his first Pro Bowl on the back of 10.5 sacks, but three other members also had at least five sacks in 2015. In the linebacker ranks, Anthony Barr continued his ascension and earned a Pro Bowl bid, while MLB Eric Kendricks more than held his own as a rookie. What could push Minnesota over the top is one of the NFL's best-kept secrets: Harrison Smith. With an extension in hand, the four-year pro has graded as one the league's premier safeties, providing discipline in the back end and holding the franchise pick-six record with four. To provide Smith with a steadier running mate, veteran Michael Griffin was signed to compete with Andrew Sendejo at the other safety spot. Finally, CB Mackensie Alexander was tabbed in the second round as a long-term answer at cornerback.
KEY JOB BATTLE
While Stephon Diggs looks set to retain the No. 1 receiver role, the other spots are in flux this summer. It's widely expected 2016 first-round draft pick Laquon Treadwell will win the job opposite Diggs, but it wasn't guaranteed after spring practices. The third receiver role will be the main focus, as Jarius Wright is likely to hold down the gig, but Charles Johnson had a strong spring after a disappointing 2015 season. The coaching staff also continues to praise Cordarrelle Patterson, but after declining a fifth-year option on the veritable special-teamer, the Vikings wouldn't seem to hold him in high regard. Still, an unexpected change in the depth chart can't be ruled out with the limited experience of receiving corps.
PIVOTAL PLAYER
Employing a game plan around a dominating D and potent running game, Minnesota will count on one more great year from Peterson. After missing nearly a full season due to off-field issues, Peterson showed that he had plenty left in the tank as a 30-year-old, recording 1,485 yards and 11 TDs in 2015. He'll look to defy the aging curve yet again.
BAROMETER
RISING: Stefon Diggs
Diggs didn't play until Week 4, but the rookie fifth-rounder quickly became the top option in the passing game. A fortified O-line should give Teddy Bridgewater more time to throw, providing extra targets for Diggs.
FALLING: Charles Johnson
Johnson emerged in 2014 with 25 catches for 415 yards and two touchdowns in the final seven games. However, he struggled with injuries, was phased out of the offense and went without a catch after Week 9 last season.
SLEEPER: Laquon Treadwell
Lacking a veteran wideout, the Vikings will instead lean on Stefon Diggs and Treadwell to head the WR corps. At the very least, Treadwell's ideal size (6-2, 210 pounds) could reap dividends in the red zone.
THE INJURY FRONT
Harrison Smith, S – Smith has succumbed to nagging injuries in two of his four professional campaigns – turf toe forced eight absences in 2013, while a hamstring injury kept him out of another three games last season – but his production when healthy spurred the Vikings to hand the free safety a five-year extension in June.
LINVAL JOSEPH, DT – Joseph played through turf toe last season, yet it didn't limit him much on the field as he may have been the best nose tackle in the NFL with 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one half sack, 26 quarterback hurries and a pass defended. After undergoing offseason surgery, he said he was back to 100 percent this spring and will seek out the first Pro Bowl bid of his career.
John Sullivan, C – Sullivan suffered a back injury last preseason that required surgery and, despite landing in the IR/designated-to-return list, didn't take a snap in 2015. The Vikings' starting center withstood the rigors of spring practice, though, leaving him free to resume his typical role.
IDP FOCUS
Anthony Barr, LB – Barr is a former edge rusher who coach Mike Zimmer took on as a conversion project to 4-3 outside linebacker with the ninth overall pick in 2014. The experiment has been promising so far, and there's reason to hope for a breakout in Barr's third season. Barr has 138 tackles (109 solo) and 7.5 sacks in 26 career games, and his background as a highly athletic, successful college pass rusher gives reason to think he could push for the 80-tackle, 10-sack mark during his best years.
Harrison Smith, S – Smith has become one of the top safeties in the league and would be among the top few IDP selections except for occasional durability troubles. Smith has 314 tackles and 12 interceptions (as well as four touchdowns) in 53 career contests, which projects to about 95 tackles and four picks per 16-game stretch. The catch is that he's played 16 games only twice in his four seasons, missing eight outings in 2013 and three more in 2015. He's worth the risk, though. His talent can't be doubted, and the Minnesota defense is on the way up. There will be playmaking opportunities.
Everson Griffen, DE – Griffen is one of the verified freaks of defensive lineman, possessing 4.6 speed at over 270 pounds. He's also a very good defensive end in general, boasting double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons heading into 2016. He has 22.5 sacks in his last 1,832 snaps, meaning he should safely project to double-digit sacks in 2016 so long as he plays 900 snaps. There's not much reason to think he won't.
OFFSEASON MOVES
KEY ACQUISITIONS:
Laquon Treadwell – WR (Rd. 1, No. 23 – Mississippi)
Physical possession receiver adds vital size to receiving corps.
Alex Boone – G (from 49ers)
Expected to slot in at left guard, he has 59 career starts under his belt.
Andre Smith – OT (from Bengals)
The 2009 first-round pick has significant starting experience.
Michael Griffin – S (from Titans)
May be No. 1 strong safety after back-to-back 100-plus tackle seasons.
Mackensie Alexander – CB (Rd. 2, No. 54 – Clemson)
Speedy corner beefs up depth in secondary.
KEY LOSSES:
Mike Wallace – WR (to Ravens)
Never clicked with Teddy Bridgewater in Minnesota.
ROBERT BLANTON – S (to Bills)
Moves on after experiencing precipitous drop in snaps.
JOSH ROBINSON – CB (to Buccaneers)
Torn pectoral capped him to two appearances in 2015.
